High Street · No. 88 · NWB.19

88 High Street

William D. Hervey House

Built 1860–1900National Register district

Built: c. 1865
Style: Second Empire Second Empire
Neighborhood: High Street District
MACRIS: NWB.19 ↗

History

This house is an excellent example of a Second Empire-style home. It is one of several on the High Street built during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Though provincial, the house has several noteworthy features of the Second Empire style.

Several of these are the mansard roof and arched and pedimented dormers ornamented with consoles. The projecting central pavilion is also typical of the style. It helps to create the bold three-dimensional effect seen here. The bracketed cornice and portico, the rusticated facade detailed with quoins, and the window lintels are all features of the style.

In 1872, William D. Hervey owned this house. He opened a bathing house on Water Street, where the custom house now stands. On June 12, 1827, he notified the public that he had purchased the building on “Jackson’s Wharf.” He had remodeled it for ladies and gentlemen desiring hot or cold baths.

In 1833, Hervey sold the lot of land on Water Street to the United States Government. In 1835, the government erected the custom house on this site.

The house at 88 High Street remained in the Hervey family until 1879, when it was purchased by Emily C.W. Page, who owned it until 1922. The house remained in the Page family for several decades.

Subsequent owners were David P. Page, Samuel N. Bloom, and Milton Frebach.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 15-3-XC · Zone R2

Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII-D.3 ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1865, so 75 or more years old: removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, changing the roofline (pitch, towers, cupolas, anything projecting above the roof), moving it, or adding a dormer that misses the setback and pitch rules is "demolition" under the demolition delay ordinance. The Commission holds a hearing within 30 days and may impose a delay of up to 18 months. Parts of the building documented as younger than 75 years are excluded on a written determination by the Zoning Administrator.
Code of Ordinances ch. 5 art. X, §§5-307–5-308 (June 2026) ↗
Zoning Administrator first stop
Every project starts with a zoning determination from the Zoning Administrator, which says which of these reviews apply and whether the work also needs zoning relief (a special permit for a non-conformity, or a variance). Fees, forms and filing deadlines are on the City’s site.
City flowchart, June 2026 ↗

Not legal advice, not an official City publication, and not the position of the Historical Commission or any board. Says what the ordinances say as of September 30, 2026; the Zoning Administrator decides what applies. Boundaries: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission / City of Newburyport GIS (MIMAP); 1984 status from the National Register nomination's district data sheets. City's quick guide to the DCOD and demolition delay ↗ · Do I need approval? Project by project →